| The Mud Boy | |
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 Theatrical release poster | |
| Spanish | El niño de barro |
| Directed by | Jorge Algora |
| Written by |
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| Produced by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Suso Bello |
| Edited by | Rita Romero |
| Music by | Nani García |
Production companies |
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Release dates |
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| Language | Spanish |
The Mud Boy (Spanish: El niño de barro) is a 2007 Spanish-Argentine thriller drama film directed by Jorge Algora which stars Maribel Verdú, Daniel Freire, Chete Lera, and Juan Ciancio.
Plot[edit]
Set in 1912 Buenos Aires against the backdrop of the story of the Petiso Orejudo serial killer, the plot tracks 10-year-old boy Mateo, haunted by nightmares, and the main suspect behind a trail of brutal killings in the city.[1]
Cast[edit]
- Maribel Verdú as Estela[2]
- Chete Lera as Dr. Soria[2]
- Daniel Freire as Comisario Petrie[2]
- Juan Ciancio as Mateo[2]
- César Bordón as Octavio[2]
- Abel Ayala as Cayetano[2]
- Sergio Boris as Subinspector Palacios[2]
Production[edit]
A Spanish-Argentine co-production, the film was produced by Adivina Producciones, Iroko Films, Castelao Producciones and Televisión de Galicia, Patagonik and Pol-ka, with backing from INCAA and ICAA.[3] The film was shot in Argentina.[4]
Release[edit]
The film was released theatrically in Spain on 18 May 2007.[5][6] Distributed by Buena Vista, the opening in Argentine theatres was scheduled for 6 September 2007.[7]
Reception[edit]
Juan Pablo Cinelli of Página/12 assessed that Algora is right to opt for fiction rather than documentary accuracy.[8]
Jonathan Holland of Variety considered that "the excesses of the story are reined in by intelligent treatment, with thoughtful perfs, fine period atmospherics and a well-achieved sense of dread making up for occasionally clunky direction and loose scripting".[9]
Parana Sendrós of Ámbito Financiero deemed the film to be worth your time, considering that the balance is positive "due to the way [the film] is made, the intelligence with which it tells the story, and the light it sheds on the always current issue of the treatment of children".[10]
Accolades[edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 22nd Goya Awards | Best Original Song | "Pequeño paria" by Daniel Melingo | Nominated | [11] |
| 7th Mestre Mateo Awards | Best Film | Won | [12][13] | ||
| Best Director | Jorge Algora | Won | |||
| Best Screenplay | Jorge Algora, Christian Busquier, Héctor Carré | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Maribel Verdú | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | Chete Lera | Won | |||
| Daniel Freire | Nominated | ||||
| Juan Ciancio | Nominated | ||||
| Best Supporting Actor | Abel Ayala | Nominated | |||
| Best Production Supervision | Eduard Vallés, Juan Lovece | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Suso Bello | Won | |||
| Best Editing | Rita Romero | Nominated | |||
| Best Music | Nani García | Won | |||
| Best Makeup and Hairstyles | Beata Wojtowicz | Won | |||
| Best Costume Design | Cecilia Monti | Won | |||
| Best Art Direction | Mariela Rípodas | Won | |||
| Best Sound | Perfecto de San José Prieto, Alberto Suárez | Nominated | |||
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Jorge Algora rescata la historia real de un asesino en serie de principios del siglo XX en 'El niño de barro'". Europa Press. 16 May 2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g "El niño de barro". Filmax. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- ^ "Pesadillas a ojos abiertos". La Nación. 5 September 2007.
- ^ Rodríguez, Pacho (3 June 2007). "A partir de ahora sólo voy a hacer cine que me emocione de verdad". Diario de León.
- ^ Estrada, Javier (18 May 2007). "Llegué a un punto en que no aceptaba un papel si no me apasionaba". Metrópoli – via El Mundo.
- ^ "El niño de barro". Fotogramas.
- ^ "Avalancha de estrenos nacionales en la cartelera argentina". Latamcinema. 6 September 2007.
- ^ Cinelli, Juan Pablo (7 September 2007). "La naturaleza del monstruo". Página|12.
- ^ Holland, Jonathan (9 July 2007). "The Mud Boy". Variety.
- ^ Sendrós, Parana (6 September 2017). "Inteligente relato sobre un mítico asesino serial". Ámbito Financiero.
- ^ "'Nocturna', de Filmax, Goya a la mejor película de animación". Diario de Pontevedra. 4 February 2008.
- ^ "A Academia Galega do Audiovisual anunciou esta mañá a listaxe de nomeados aos Premios Mestre Mateo 2007". Academia Galega do Audiovisual. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- ^ ""O neno de barro" arrasa en los premios del cine gallego con nueve Mestre Mateo". Público. 16 April 2008.